An Addiction to Korean Tv mini series

It took awhile to develop an interest in Korean films, even though they are well organized to promote popular arts.  My son spent 18 months in Korea and that spurred an interest.  Roger Ebert had publicized a few films before.  Before all that I had developed an interest in sub titled movies from Bollywood and eventually many different nations with a little boost from my sister Rebecca.

When Korea hosted the Winter Olympics I was fascinated by the closing ceremonies for the Paralympics.  One musical group with some sort of connection to the disabled community, Bae Hee Gwan Band made an impression.  Even more so when they were joined by a singer Ailee who I assumed was a popular singer of the hit parade variety.  I went looking on YouTube and iTunes with little success, but discovered Ailee sang for the tv serial shows and I quite liked one of her tunes.

The local library provided many subtitled movies from all over the world.  Once you get on Netflix a lot of doors open, but mostly I searched for movies including those from Korea, some of which left a very strong impression. (check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2014/04/a-slice-of-korean-cinema.html ).  The promo for "Crash Landing on You" got my attention and on an impulse decided to give it a trial.  It had been touted as second top Korean tv series on cable.  My son had shown us a photo of him with one foot in South Korea and the other in North Korea so I was aware of the border tensions.

"Crash Landing on You" left a very strong impression and I watched it a second time and even persuaded some friends to watch it.   Before too many months passed I had actually gone through 6 series.  Mind you I had started one or two that I didn't complete because they seemed too frivolous.  They all had 16 episodes each averaging a little over one hour in length and despite the length I found myself binging  Read more: http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/02/crash-landing-on-you-very-addicting.html

I noticed a few patterns.  First they introduced some sort of dilemma and the following episodes piled on with complications and sub plots.  They used a lot of flashbacks which I appreciated as initially you were confronted with occurrences that were mysterious and intriguing.  The flashbacks gave the background and opened up understanding.  They were generous with previews of the next episodes which spurred curiosity.  They blended humor into the stories.  I suspect it was a challenge to fill over 16 hours per series, but they did a good job of time filling as your curiosity was always active.

Sex is relatively pristine, especially compared to some of their movies.  In a few cases you see the leading characters in bed and there are a few allusions to it.  American and Europeans streaming films leave less to the imagination.  Romance is key to their attraction. with very likable would be couples.  Music plays a stronger role than in most American or European series, but not as much as most Bollywood features.  I discovered more songs by Ailee and even discovered more likable tunes, singers and instrumentalists.

A short synopsis of the five additional series for you to decide if any interest you.

"Something in The Rain"  (2018) was watched as it starred the heroine from "Crashing Down on You", Ye-jin Son.  She is not quite the most attractive woman, but she has such a likable personality.  In this series she plays a thirtyish woman who is pursued by her best friend's younger brother, (Hae-In Jung) younger by about ten years.  She also is a supervisor in a chain of coffee shops and gets involved in a sexual harassment case.  It drags on as she has to deal with age and class issues   I learn that Ye-jin is a fitness buff and in one brief segment we can watch her dance).  She has definite ideas about glamour.  She avoids a hair dresser for early morning scenes getting out of bed of which there are a few in this series.  We get a feel for the Korean masculine culture that has been resistant to feminist trends.  They actually play an American song so often it becomes annoying.

"Chocolate" (2019) was promoted for foodies.  Two young children start, with the young boy wanting to take over his mother's restaurant and the girl who eventually does become a world class chef.  The plot is classic misunderstanding with the girl pursuing the childhood aquaintence, but is interrupted by his close friend and then the childhood friend ignores her and she leaves for Greece as she can't handle being too close to someone who can't return her interest.  A lot of circumstances combine to bring the girl back to Korea after the childhood friend becomes a surgeon and eventually after an accident is demoted to the same palliative care facility.  Lots of interesting food, family intrigues and unfortunately a lot of deaths.  A charming couple acted by Ji-won Ha and Yoon Kyesang who had started in a K pop group.  Beautiful song by Ailee.

"Itaewan Class" (2020) is a lot of about class conflict   It has rival restaurants and a love triangle with the viewer rooting for both women.  The hero played by Seo-joon Park is likable, but very stoic. Seo-joon can be seen in the Oscar winner "Parasite."  Nara plays one of the leading ladies.  One character is a transgender who over time wins over a lot of support.  Another is a black man hired because it was assumed he spoke English, but in fact he spoke French. 

"Memories of Alhambra" had the leading man from Crash Landing on You," Hyun Bin playing a very different role as he is not stoical,   Caught Hyun on Youtube singing (very well) the Lady Gage song, "Shallows." The leading lady is played by award winner Shin-hye Park.  I recommended this film to a science fiction lover.  The music conveys a sense of history for Granada and there are impressive scenes in Barcelona as well.  The visual effects are outstanding.  The  romance seems awfully one sided.  Another good song by Ailee.

"Hyena"  with humor well spaced and about lawyers reminded me of "Suits," but I understand there is an actual Korean remake of the popular American series.   Egotistical lawyers, office politics, romance and some social injustice are common elements.  The first episode with quite the twist itself leads up to contrast to the fifteenth that gave me my biggest laughs of the year. The main romance offers a age difference and class contrast.   A few interesting songs over the course of 16 episodes, but I was most intrigued by a clip of a Paganini song which I have been unable to locate.

Ji-Hoon Ju plays the younger lawyer who is attracted to the older female lawyer played by Hye-su Kim.  The bad guy is played by Keong yeong Lee.  Hye-su is a big award winner and has been in two movies I enjoyed,; "The Thieves" and "My 11th Mother." She is even older than the age gap suggested by the script, but she pulls it off very well.

I enjoyed them all, but if you wanted to give them a trial I would recommend "Crash Landing on You" or "Hyena."  If you get kicks out of visual effects, "Memories of Alhambra" would be a good choice, even in comparison to American products.

I have enjoyed a lot of mini series.  I went after "Indian Doctor" at the library, but will have to wait for the final season same with    Two from India both different from the usual Bollywood films I love.  "She" has more sex than is normal, but from a different perspective.  "Sacred Games (I bought the book over a decade ago) starring Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, has both way more sex and even more violence than used to from India.

Mini series have the advantage of more detailed plots and character development, however in danger of boring or distracting elements.   Flashbacks bring new facts or remind you of details you might have forgotten, but too much is annoying.

Another worthy part of my addiction:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/04/heavens-garden-cheonsangui-hwawon.html

VICKY DONOR COMPARED TO DHARALA PRABHU

Remakes are often predictable and often not as good as the original and even if they are, one still feels a loyalty to their first impression.

"Vicky Donor" (2012) was a favorite movie and very unique.  It launched Ayushmann Khurrana and Yami Gautam.  The story contained a lot of comedy, but had a very touching ending.  It dealt with Indian prejudices.  "Dharala Prabhu" (2020) was brought to my attention by Access Bollywood.  It is really a Tamil language film based on the "Vicky Donor" film.  As I started to watch it, I felt it was a cheap copy, but at the end I was even more touched.  "Vicky Donor" really cleaned up in the awards and nominations and deserved it for the fresh approach.  I suspect "Dharala Prabhu" will win some awards especially in the Tamil cinema, but in my mind deserves more.

In both films a doctor started out as an exploiter of an opportunity to make money off the sperm donor, but he became a very concerned friend.

There were ethnic differences with one bride being of Bengali background which supposedly liked fish and the other bride having a Kannada background had a fondness for chicken.  In "Vicky Donor," the groom's family snuck in liquor for a wedding, but in "Dharala Prahu" it was the bride's family that wanted liquor, but had a restrained approach at the wedding.

Both brides had been divorced and this was treated as an obstacle.  Neither movie was very explicit with sex, but "Dharala Prabhu" showed a pre-marital bed scene.

Both movies initially, but especially "Dharala Prabhu" showed/hinted that the women were upset that their spouse was the natural parent and not them.  "Good Newz" (2019) sort of dealt with these concerns, but the problem there was more that the male sperm got mixed up so they were used on the other wife.  A slightly different perspective on parenting/masculine/feminine attitudes:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/02/good-newwz.html

The subject of sperm donating was shameful in both films, but in "Dharala Prabhu" there was also a concern from the fathers that they be credited with impregnating their wives, although to please their wives and in one case desire for an heir they co-operated

Shoojit Sircar director after a career in advertising did "Vicky Donor," as his second movie.  His first movie was a rare one; a inter-religious romance set in Kashmir, "Yahaan" (2015).  Also directed "Piku" (2015)  and "October" (2018).  He supplied the story for "Pink" and as the creative producer was very active in promoting the film including with local police departments.  He also produced "Running Shaadi" (2017).  Read more about the outstanding film, "Pink," the excllent film on consent.
http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2016/11/pink-sensitive-film-to-deal-with-consent.html

Juhi Chaturvedi who wrote the original script is credited with the story for the remake  The original had more humor whereas "Dharala Prabhu" handled some issues more seriously.  She worked for ad agencies as a creative director with Shoojit Sircar with the two working together on some movies.  She debuted with "Vicky Donor" writing the story, dialogue and even some lyrics.  She has had success with "Piku" (2015),  "October" (2018).  Soon will be releasing "Gulabo Sitabo" with Ayushmann Khurrana and Amitabh Bachchan with Soojit Sircar as director.  She also wrote some of the dialogue for my top movie viewed in 2019, "The Sky is Pink."  Read more
http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/12/the-sky-is-pink-my-top-movie-for-2019.html

Krishna Marimuthu, director and script adapter gave screen credit to Shoojit Sircar for inspiring him.  The adaptation was brilliant--taking many of the events and motivations from the original and twisting them for even more impact.  Smart enough to leave a core plot and even dialogue.  He certainly deserves a best adaptation award.

Ayushmann Khurrana started on tv at age 17 and later won a television Survivor like program and went on to be a disc jockey and tv host.  He also did street theatre.  "Vicky Donor" was his film debut and he won numerous awards and nominations for it.  He played the title character, Vicky Arora.  He also made a number of other socially conscious films such as "Dum Laga Ke Haisha" (2015), "Shubh Mangal Savdhan" (2017),  "Badhaai Ho" 2018) "Article 15" (2019 in his most dramatic role) and "Bala" (2019).  Read more:
http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2018/12/ayushmann-khuranna-actor-to-watch.html

Harish Kalyan played the title character, Prabhu who in the film was also a soccer player.  He has acted in Tamil cinema since 2010.

Yami Gautam  played Ashima Roy in "Vicky Donor" as a bank employee.  She has been in Telegu, Tamil and Kannada as well as Bollywood.   Disappointed she was killed off early in "Kaabil"(2017)  and "Badlapur" (2015 renamed "City of Revenge") "Uri: The Surgical Strike" (2019).  Reunited with Ayushmann Khurrana in "Bala" (2019) a movie I am looking forward to.

Tanya Hope who played the leading lady has acted in Tamil, Telegu and Kannada movies starting in 2016.  Graduated from university in England.

Anupama Kumar plays Prabhu's mother who operates a beauty salon.  She has been active in the Tamil cinema since 2010.  She is a costume designer for "My Son is Gay" where she also plays the mother who has rejected her gay son and then decides to look for him

Dolly Ahluwalia played Vicky's mother who owned a beauty salon.  She was also a costume designer working on three films with Deepa Methta, "Earth," (1998) "Water," (2005 also acted)  and "Midnight's Children" (2012).  She won costuming awards for "Bhaag Milka Bhaag" (2013) and "Haider" (2014).   She also won supporting actor awards for "Vicky Donor."  She was in Shoojit's first film, "Yahaan." 

Vivek  plays Dr. Kannadaasan, the fertility specialist  starting off with many comic scenes but is required to take a serious tone towards the end and does it well.  He has won a few comic awards including "Sivaji" (2007).  He started in Tamil cinema back in 1987.

Annu Kapoor played Dr.Baldev Chaddha, a fertility specialist desperate to find a reliable donor.  He won several comedy awards for this role.  He won a negative character award for "Jolly LLB 2."  His film career started in 1983.

Musically, Ayushmann won an award for backup singer/lyricist for Paani da Rang."  One of my favorite singers, Shakthisree Gopalan has a song in "Dharala Prabhu."

Both movies are enjoyable and well worth watching and if you like to study differences in plotting they offer an interesting lesson.  Both movies despite comic roles are definitely very moving.

CHARITIES AND ENTERTAINMENT IN DESPERATE TIMES

Ideas are a luxury in desperate times.  A core function of society is agriculture (while its predecessor hunting and gathering is still a sub set) and it might be argued that energy is even more basic.  The Covid 19 pandemic is reminding us that survival cannot be taken for granted.  Focusing on survival shunts aside many endeavors that we now better appreciate are really luxuries.  Luxuries are what we are able to indulge in when we have created a surplus of what is needed to survive

A confession before pontificating.  I find beggars very annoying and guilt inducing.  My experience has taught me that we live in an inequal society that favors the wealthy and the powerful.  I can now better appreciate there will be some adjustments in society's power arrangements with a lot of little people further marginalized.  Ideas are a luxury, but they are what make us a civilization and I hope we can survive as one.  This more or less summarizes my attitude for this post.

Entertainment is a luxury that is already being curtailed.  The major sports businesses have all been shut down and all gatherings of spectators for music and theatre are locked out.  We can still eat, but not so much at restaurants.  Much of our entertainment has filtered down to electronic which ultimately means fewer and fewer people will be required as we will be able to view the best of the best rather than the corner bar singers for example.  You can see read paper books, but as I am learning more of that is electronic.  Entertainment of all sorts was very critical during the Depression of the 1930's, but there was no concern about large crowds so we will be making different adjustments

Charities boil down to begging.  These are the causes that we are concerned about, but not enough to distract too far from many other human endeavors.  We have assuaged our guilty conscience by allowing the government to fulfill some of these functions, but are careful to make sure our taxes don't cramp our lifestyle too much.  Many of us have personal concerns often where a disease has harmed our loved ones and many of  efforts have been partially taken over by governments, but not enough to solve the problem.  Perhaps it is better to maintain a role for the individual conscience.  For others they are conscious of discriminated against either their own group or that of another.  Still others feel society would be better off if awareness of some cultural activity were better appreciated.

In times of desperation as right now, charities are minimized.  Many of those who have asked for assistance now feel guilty for asking.  There are reasons we should give what we can afford if we really want to keep our civilization functioning.  Charities perform functions that we all benefit from.

Jobs are important.  We live in a world where it takes fewer and fewer people to supply the necessities and even luxuries.  We still have beggars who somehow slipped through the cracks (and in some cases as many suspect, are deceptive) but they do in fact help circulate revenue.  Some employees of charities got the job as they weren't able to get a better one, if any.  Some specialize and have developed skills for raising revenues in a competitive world, even for charities.  Like the rest of us they may well have to sacrifice some of their income and some likely will lose their job and have to seek another way to make their ends meet.  Still those making a living appealing to our conscience not only help our economy, but can feel good as they are lessening the burden of others.

Research (thinking of charities for diseases primarily) also provides jobs, but not just any job, ones that are value added.  While scientists discover something to better deal with one disease they often find applications to others.  I recall learning that research for Parkinson's has overlapped with research for Alzheimers (something more people fear).  The understanding gained through scientific research helps us all appreciate how everything is connected.

Another function of charities is advocacy.  The disabled have most often been cast aside as not only not able to function productively, but disturbing for the rest of us have to work with.  With disabled legislation gradually making life more tolerable for them it has also made them more productive and everyone has benefited.  This also applies to those who have suffered discrimination and been denied a more suitable role in society.  Causes such as climate change, refugees, endangered animals, etc. are deemed important by individuals and groups.  Even those promoting cultural activities have (mostly) enriched the lives of those who appreciate something otherwise unknown.

Some people get paid to advocate for special interests (including charities) and we call them lobbyists.  They form a useful function, although much abused.  Some thoughts on their role at:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/03/coronavirus-lessons-how-one-makes-money.html

Caregivers have either been forgotten or taken for granted.  Charities can relieve some of this burden and help make some people more productive.  Much of care giving is voluntary such as family and friends or just concerned citizens.  For others care giving is a paid job that someone has organized for the necessary resources and persuaded someone to provide money.

Survival is no trivial thing and we all will be looking at what we now better appreciate are limited  resources.  But if we want to retain a sustainable and satisfying civilization we need to be open to ideas.  Charities are an idea that is part of society and that benefits everyone.  Hoarding resources may seem necessary to survival, but human survival demands a more open and sharing society.  Earlier I blogged about how it seems this pandemic will make us more conscious of how we all make money:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2013/04/lobbyists-do-deserve-more-appreciation.html

FUNNY YOU DON'T LOOK AUTISTIC

According to author Michael McCreary us neurotypicals have probably met more ASD people than we realize.  ASD stands for Autism Spectrum Disorder and includes a wide range of functioning and not so functioning people.  He also warns that reading his book may make us think that as we share some characteristics of Autistic people and be on the spectrum ourselves.  He reassures us that all people share overlapping characteristics and we need not fear.  By the way neurotypicals are what "they" call us "normal" people.

For me the value of the book lies in trying to understand a significant number of my fellow humans from what seems like an unusual perspective, that of a stand up comedian.   Michael does a good job.

Earlier this year we were steered to watch three full seasons of "Atypical" which in one sense provided a lot of laughs, but also hit deeper more than a few times.  It attempts to explain how and why the main character responds to the world as he finds it.  Also it boosted my understanding of the people who live with Autistics including family, the general public, work and school mates.

Michael was the middle child and was not diagnosed until after his younger brother with a less functioning disorder had been diagnosed.   His parents were supportive.  He went to school in Orangeville where he was given opportunity to be involved with school plays.  At one time participated in a program at Theatre Orangeville Young Company.

While a student Michael mentioned he once wanted to put a display in the middle of the main street in Orangeville and acknowledged that there was something already impressive in the middle of the street.  Many years ago when traveling as a salesman I was struck by this display to the left which Michael described. 

At age 13 he took part in a program run by a standup comedian, Dave Granirer called "Stand up for Mental Health."  His parents encouraged these type of opportunities and Michael sparked.  Over time he gained more opportunities and I suspect he was identified as someone who could represent what Autistics could achieve if given a chance.  He took a course at Second City Training Centre.  At first he was given opportunities to perform in front of those involved with autistics, who might be assumed to be sympathetic, but eventually he was given a chance to perform in mainstream audiences, including Toronto's Massey Hall.

As he writes this book he is 22 and recognizes that might seem a bit arrogant.  I would add that he does everyone a service not only by making us laugh, but also to understand a little bit better.  A few years ago (2014) I read "The Spark" about a child who for many years was non communicative, but later turned out to be a genius.  Read more:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2014/01/the-spark.html

Michael was careful to point out that it is a common myth that autistics are math whizzes, but many are like him and not good at math at all.  Another myth was that autistics are incapable of lying.  While it is true they are very literal in their thinking and that lands them in awkward situations, when they are unable to explain what they are thinking a lie sometimes seems the only way.

Autistics seem to attract those who make fun of them and bullies.  Michael did not know when he was being made fun of for a long time, but gradually understood.  He also is able to observe how autistics can annoy neurotypicals and has advice to us on how to handle it.  We also can benefit from understanding some of their habits such as what he calls "stimming."  Stimming is often expressed as repetitive actions such as rocking, spinning objects or flapping hands.  Often it is their way of handling over stimulation while conversely sometimes it is used to get stimulated.  The action is not the problem, but may indicate an underlying concern.

As he became more involved in performing he encountered some interesting people.  As a 7 year old helping his mother at a trade show booth he demonstrated for Temple Grandin who ended up buying some items.  Ten years later, again at the Toronto Convention Centre he performed before Temple made her presentation and his mother arranged for a photo of the two together.  Still three years later in Whitehorse, Yukon he was again set up as an opening act for Temple and this time he inter acted.  For the morning performance he was criticized by Temple for his sloppy clothes, but in the evening he changed to something else and commented it was because of her.  She liked his choice and they had a more serious conversation where she gave him some friendly advice, critiqued a Batman movie and sang the song from the tv series.  Temple Grandin is a big deal to me, but I only heard of her when I sold an ad to a feed store (not too far from Orangeville) that was sponsoring her at a show.  Out of curiosity I watched the movie,  "Temple Grandin" (2010) that is also recommended by Michael and saw that Temple is still another example of an autistic that has contributed significantly to neurotypical society.

From one of his performances Michael attracted the attention of Chris Hadfield's son who organized another project.  Through this experience Michael met Chris Hadfield, the astronaut and through him met author Neil Gaiman.

The book is very easy to read.  I got it through an e book process at my local library.  Your understanding of another slice of mankind will grow.

Near the title page the book is dedicated to Matty and I wondered who he was.  It was his younger brother who had a much more difficult time.  Michael in fact did not relate to him very well until after hearing a comment that if you want to get along with an autistic you should seek common ground.  For Michael it turned out to be trampolining that was the breakthrough.  Michael suffered a gran mal seizure and drowned as Michael was writing his memoir.

To end this review the last words from the Acknowledgements:  "Finally thanks to anyone I've ever had an awkward exchange with.  Without you I would not have had enough material to meet the quota."

COPING WITH THE COVID-19 SHUTDOWN

Only retired a few months and trying to establish a routine it all came to a screeching halt in late March.  My awareness about this new disruption started with distant news reports from China, then Europe and then parts of North America and even my home town of Hamilton, Ontario.  Restrictions started.   First I had to answer some questions at the local gym, take a squirt of sanitizer before being allowed to enter.  The next day cut off.  The library where hours most days had been spent was shut down.  Rapidly stores were closed our local shopping store instituted some restrictions and soon offered a special senior hour.  The Farmer's Market although open had many vendors vacant and traffic greatly reduced and I was urged not to visit.  Our bank tellers were closed off and I had been resisting their machines to ensure human employment, but that is the future.  The LCBO was considered essential, but a long line up (with spacing guidance enforced by security guards) made it take much longer than usual.  After a lull I had got back to volunteering at the Newcomer Centre at the library and that was soon cut out.

Already adjusting my routine from retirement many of the normal options were rapidly reduced.  Fall backs were blogging, watching Netflix, checking the news, playing with the cats, ranting about Donald Trump on social media, getting back to a long neglected jigsaw puzzle (which I won in a contest, but no picture to guide).  Walks were recommended and I decided to check out my neighborhood while avoiding getting too close to anyone.

Near the beginning I did go down to our Farmer's Market which is about a 1 kilometre walk.  Lots of restaurants were closed, some offering take out and/or delivery.  Most other businesses were closed with a note to protect employees and customers.  At the Farmer's Market many stalls were closed, but my regular ones were open and I bought my regular.  These people stand to lose a lot and I would rather support them than the big chains.  On my way home I decided to buy a box lunch (in reality 5 boxes) at Bul and Goggi which seemed a good deal.  I have been binging on a number of Korean tv series.

A popular life size statue in front of Liuna Station (often shown on tv shows).  Leonardo Sciassa was a famous Italian writer from the Sicilian town of Racamulto that has sent literally thousands of immigrants to Hamilton. 


My wife was on a long planned Florida vacation with her 83 year old friend visiting her daughter and hoping to see spring training games.  Although Florida had a casual attitude towards Covid-19 my wife's group avoided crowds and eventually came home early and told she must abide by a 14 day self isolation.

That meant I was given some shopping and told to be careful.  On my most recent trip took advantage of senior hour starting at 7:00 am.  I heard announcements regarding distance and noticed there were plastic partitions for the cashiers.

This crisis coincides with spring and although we have had a mild winter  spring raises our hopes, but it is still a long way to the warmth of summer.  Two projects were of interest.  One is what I call a peace garden a few blocks away.  It has all been flattened with nothing yet planted.  What makes it unique is that it was started by a Chinese community group that allocated sections to different ethnic groups that all provided embedded ground stone  with a message in their original language.  The other project at Harbourfront Park is a corridor of Japanese cherry trees that were gifted to the city more than a decade ago.  Last year I watched the blooms, but anticipate they will be much better this year.

Two days later took a different route.  First to check on senior hours at our local shopping centre.  Went over to Beasley Park and noted there were no children at the swings.  Over on the skateboard section saw a man in an electric wheelchair going up and down and enjoying himself, sounding like his first time as there were no actual skateboarders.

Hamilton Strip Club, before it was Hanrahan's has finally closed and I was surprised to learn that it started as a hotel and is considered historic.  It is due for renovations, but no dates settled.

Donald Trump is continuing to screw things up while he tries to manipulate events.  His ego is such that he doesn't realize that the best chance to revive the economy and possibly boost his election chances would be to solve the medical crisis.  As people die there are fewer consumers.  Voting in the U.S. (elsewhere I am sure) is an issue in itself as people will be reluctant to get in lines and poll workers will be fearful to serve them.  The Republicans realize that if mail voting is allowed the Democrats are more likely to win and so are resistant to any proposals to make voting easier.

Caught this fetching mural on a private house on one of my walks.


My daughter was part of group offering a phone in conference service for seniors and asked me to join in to beef up the participation.  One time was trivial pursuit and I managed to get a few.  Another was name that tune were I was the only one who got one tune, but struck out on many others.


Less than two blocks from my house was the scene for a huge environmental disaster at Plastimet. on July 9, 1997.   I had watched the fire closeup with my 14 year old son at the time. Since then the area has been cleaned and turned into a park with a nature project at the adjacent Land' Inlet.  Reading the plaque learned that there used to be a stream connecting to Burlington Bay/Hamilton Harbour.

Hamilton was known primarily as a manufacturing centre and still has a lot of industrial plants.  A few blocks and easy walking distance is Burlington Street which has a number of industrial companies along with retailers/wholesalers that service them.  Now union workers have greatly declined, but Hamilton has shifted to a major medical and education centre.  My first visit to Hamilton when my father trucked a load at the other end of the street not far from the Skyway bridge.  I was not impressed.   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2013/09/hamilton-ontario-was-not-my-first-choice.html


Also on Burlington Street at the corner of Wentworth is a film studio that I once visited during Doors Open Hamilton.  A lot of tv shows have used its facilities.

 It looks like there will be a longer period of adjustment.  I will keep learning new things and plan to share some of them with anyone willing to read my blog.

DEATH PANELS AND COVID-19

We live in an economy that works on a"just in time" supply system that cuts down on storage and finance costs.   Compound that when government budgets influenced by the need to cut taxes encounters the unexpected we have a problem.

The "unexpected" most recently demonstrated on a global scale is the Covid-19 pandemic.  Actually it is only the details that were unexpected.  Intelligent planners always realize the unexpected should be expected.  Many budgets provide for emergency funds that could be used for a wide range of (unexpected) problems.  Some organizations even have roles for "experts" to determine future problems.

We live in a world that is increasingly poisoning itself.  We all love the benefits of immediate gratification and seldom dwell on the costs.  One example might be the pleasure of driving a car partly for the joy itself and partly to reach a destination much quicker than our distant ancestors could conceive.  For that to happen many resources of the world had to be extracted such as metals, rubber, and oil while they were reconfigured to perform as a car.  These resources are finite, although some can be recycled.  In the various processes waste and even poisons are generated.  Almost every aspect of what we consider civilization has a connection to using the earth's resources.  Even the joys inside one's minds are a luxury provided by a surplus of resources to survive.

The earth that literally took billions of years to form must have seemed to the first humans to be infinite and we realize they actually had a narrow view of it.  The number one driver of the poisoning is population.  Growing populations generate complexities that in many ways enhance human enjoyment, but also use up finite resources faster.  Taking the earth for granted has been the default attitude of most of us, but like the backyard garden it needs careful minding to optimize results.

The benefits of globalization are also taken for granted.  We love learning about new ways to enjoy life and many of those ways come from previously unknown or inaccessible parts of the world.  We are inter connected in obvious and hidden ways and much of that strengthens us, but much is not understood.

Years ago I heard of concerns of spreading diseases among rubber plants that were concentrated in two distant locations--Brazil and Malaysia.  For awhile it wasn't too much of a concern as they were so far apart and there were few if any quick connections.  But with jet flight the danger increased that disease in one location could rapidly decimate plants at the other location and lessen the world's supply of rubber.  I am not really sure if this has been satisfactorily resolved, but realize such dangers are more possible than ever.

What seems to be common knowledge is that the current Covid-19 pandemic started in Hubei province of China.   It is very possible that it had something to do with animal to human contact.  Viruses are everywhere and usually survive under our radar, perhaps striking down individuals and small groups of individuals.  But we have known for centuries that viruses and their cousins, bacteria under the right circumstances can spread to larger and larger groups.  To-day we have intricate global communications that are quicker than ever.

There are scientists and medical authorities that have been given authority and resources to anticipate possible "problems."  It is always prudent to anticipate the unexpected because it really is not unexpected.  Governments have been formed to better organize our human affairs to optimize our resources better than competing individuals.  Even competitors have common interests that are at best only partially recognized by most of them; transportation, communication, conflict resolution systems, environmental factors, etc.

Governments are sources of power which means they are easily corrupted and misdirected.  In order to achieve power promises are made, but often one sided such as we will lower your taxes (and maintain your services).  Efficiencies should always be strived for, but everything has a cost that must be paid or there will be consequences.

Many governments find themselves in a trap.  They are expected to provide services, but not to burden the workers (and others) too much.  All too often wealthy individuals resent paying for services for those less fortunate and those seeking power need to balance between satisfying enough people and obtaining the necessary revenues from both the masses and the wealthy.  This also applies to dictatorships who can be overturned if enough people organize against them.

Hindsight allows us ordinary mortals (who sometimes vote) to appreciate that the world was not as prepared  as we needed it to be and it is likely the future will not be what virtually any of us anticipated even a few weeks ago.  Work, retailing, entertainment are only a few endeavors that will require major adjustments.

In the very near future (already happening) life and death choices will have to be made.  Medical resources (trained personnel, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, facilities) cannot be instantly expanded to cope with the stress caused by the pandemics.  Uncertainty is frightening.

While we have this new stress we still have to cope with established stresses including many medical conditions, paying off debts that have been building and countless problems demanding attention.

Who gets access to limited medical resources?  The general wisdom of the day says the young and the healthy are most likely to survive and contribute to the benefit of (wo)mankind.  Those who have money or power or even just the support of loved ones are going to have an edge.  Individual medical personnel and a few others will be caught in the middle of the dilemma, unable to satisfy everyone.  Even deciding what to load on a truck and in which direction to send it will mean life or death for someone.

My position is that when resources are limited and decisions have to be made immediately the future of mankind should be the main criteria.  This doesn't mean that the old and the unhealthy should be discarded after all we all want to reach old age and any of us could find ourselves with compromised health.  Triage can be brutal, but also can be the most optimal.  Human value is very difficult to measure.

There is no easy solution, but my point is not just to forgive and understand those forced to make these immediate life and death decisions, but to take our long term responsibilities more seriously.  Taking care of ourselves means we will be able to contribute to the well being of others.  Voting for the right candidate or party requires more than just a reflexive decision, but requires serious thinking.  Everything we want costs something and deciding what is fair and desirable has to be integrated with how it will be paid for.  I believe every individual can contribute, but many are not given a reasonable opportunity.  Some are shoved aside or forgotten so those in better positions can boost themselves (and that is not just the very wealthy).

Irresponsible decisions have helped us to arrive at this point, not just by the wealthy and powerful, but those who enabled the short sighted to gain power.  Meaning those who could vote, but didn't and those who voted with little real effort or thought.  If we make the right long term decisions we will not be forced to make as many brutal life and death decisions.

They Know Everything About You

The internet allows people to be better connected, informed, expressive, but it also allows others to exploit us. But part of that is because we let them.   The book was published in 2015 so in this world that has advanced technologically it is out of date.  However as I prepare to write this there are reports that the current  coronavirus pandemic is providing an excuse to suspend some constitutional rights.

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. constitution protects privacy as expressed against unreasonable searches whether in the home or wiretapping. Most nations provide protection against invasions against privacy requiring special permission to investigate criminal behavior.  In short an individual's freedom can be measured against the intrusion of society into our most inner reality.

Power is an addicting thing.  Some enjoy the benefits (money, sex, deference).  Others crave it to accomplish goals.  I was distressed to learn that Barrack Obama was among those who wanted to prolong the government's ability to check on personal information with the idea that it was necessary to protect national security.  I can only speculate that he weighed the pros and cons and felt national security needed support.

As we were all a bit knowledgeable about how the inter net put power into corporations back in 2015,
the awareness of today is we know a lot of the gathered information is used to steer us to buy some products and services and even to manipulate our votes. Because of the convenience of the inter-net which was incomprehensible to me only a few decades ago we too, after casually weighing the pros and cons opt to keeping our Facebook and Twitter accounts, to use credit and debit cards to make purchases, to use Google to gain information of interest, etc. etc. In short we have sold some of our privacy for convenience.

I remember seeing a movie about Edward Snowden and one point I remember is that our keystrokes can be known.  Some powerful people, including Obama denied Snowden the claim of being a whistle blower and have made him  a fugitive.  He did us all a favor by at least making us aware of somethings going on that affect us all.

The author explains that because we have accepted the bargain with the inter--net they are now able to gather more information and analyze it for the benefit of corporations that use it to increase their profits.  There is concern about our rights to privacy, but efforts have been made to protect personal information and there is a constant.  The governments have gained access to a lot of personal information, but are supposed to have special judicial permission to pursue.  When there is an emergency the government is able to gain easier access to information.

There have been immense changes in society since the Constitution was written, but the basic principles are still a concern.  Chief Justice John Roberts argued that mobile devices contained privacies of life and needed to be protected from warrantless searches without probable cause.

Apparently not too long ago Canadians could be denied entry to the United States if anti-American sentiments could be found on their Facebook accounts.

The government reserves the right to classify information in the interests of national security, however selective leaks are too often made while information of public interest can be blocked as was illustrated with the Mueller Report that hid a lot of embarrassing information.

Personally I am normally open about my knowledge and opinions, but am more conscious that no matter your opinion there is somebody in the world who can use it against you and in some cases would wish you harm.

The author contends that we need to be more careful of what allow the government to learn about us.  Privacy is something that benefits everyone with peace of mind.  Yes there are abuses, but there are legal remedies.   The author suggests that they rely to much on personal information and  not necessarily on information conducive to understanding.  An example is ISIS which grew as extension of the Iraq invasion and a failure to understand religious beliefs in the Middle East.

The battle will be ongoing.  I would like to end with a quote from the author;  "We know...that unchallenged authority will not only violate human rights, but also will unfortunately sow the seeds of its own ruin, increasingly blind to its own limitations and flaws."